Folding and extension car-step.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

I J, S; GOXEY. FOLDING AND EXTENSION GAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1905.

v v L 2 Z l/VVEN 70H b as v end. 603 619 WITNESSES: 6) m ATTORNEYS UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JASPER STIOEMAKER COXEY, OF ABERDEEN, WASHINGTON. FOLDING AND EXTENSI ON CAR-STEP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lgnown that I, JASPER SHOEMAKER CoxEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Aberdeen, in the county of Chehalis and State of Washington, have invented a new and Improved Folding and Extension Car-Step, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact description.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple and readily-applied means whereby to simultaneously 0 erate a folding extension car-step from the p atform of a car and raise and lower the temporary platform which normally covers the steps and open or close the gate at the platform when a gate is employed.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide means for simultaneously accomplishing the said results through the medium of an air-cylinder connected with the trainpipe or other source of air-supply and also to so construct the o era-ting mechanism that the temporary platform and gate may beoperated by hand whenever desired without operating the folding extension-step.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and-pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a car-platform and the applied mechanism, illustrating the parts in normal position by positive lines and'illustrating in dotted lines their position when operated to carry out the auxiliary step and to raise the temporary platform and to 0 en the gate. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section t ough a portion of the sill of the platform and a front sectional view of a ortion of the operating mechanism,

showing ow the temporary platform and the gate may be operated independently of 0 represents the steps leading from the .oted in the s the said gate the swing post or bar '11 is renplatform, which steps are of the customary ty%e and are fixed relative to the platform.

2 represents an auxiliary or temporary platform which is employed to cover the upper step when the steps are not required for use, the said auxiliary or temporary platform B being connected with the sill B by hinges 10, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

C represents an auxiliary folding or extension step which is adapted to be added to the fixed steps 0, as is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and when this auxiliary step C is not used it is adapted to be folded back on the fixed steps C, occupying a space in front of, yet free from, the walls of the truck, as is shown by positive lines in Fig. 1.

D represents a gate which is pivoted'on the sill B just above the fixed steps C and at the outer longitudinal edge of the temporary or auxiliary latform B The ivot-post 11 of the gate B is made fiat and rectangular in cross-section and is straight from its upper portion to a point near the end which is pivi l B; but at the pivot portion of dered splral, being given a quarter itch or twist 12, for example, as is particular y illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

An angle-bracket 11 is secured to each side portion of the fixed steps C and to the platform B, the attach'ment being made in any suitable or approved manner, and preferably where the members of the said anglebrackets 11 connect a shaft 12" is mounted to turn. This shaft 12% is provided with two crank-arms 13, which extend normally upwardly and outwardly, as is shown by positlve lines in Fig. 1, and said crank-arms 13 are ordinarily constructed more or less on the lines of a com ound curve. Angle-brackets 14 are secure to the auxiliary or folding step C, and these angle-brackets are hinged to the lowermost step of the fixed ste s O, as is also shown in Fig. 1, so that the sai auxiliary step C may be carried to the front of the fixed ste s and held in a horizontal position, thus addlng to the fixed steps, or it can be carried to the rear and beneath the said fixed ste s out of the way when not required,

Bars 15 are secured to the under face of. the auxiliary or folding stepC, and these arms are pivotally connected with the forward endsof the crank-arms 13. In the construction of the bars 15 a member 16 is upwardly s of the and rearwardly curved over the en bars. which are pivoted to the crapk arms 13,

so that when the auxiliary step C is carried tend through an opening 19 produced in the sill B and are pivoted to the sill by means of a common pivot-pin 20, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The member 17 of the dual lever E extends a shorter distance below the sill B than does the opposing member 18, as is also shown in Figs. 1 and 2. At the lower end of the member 18 of the dual lever a longitudinal slot 21 is produced, and atthis slotted portion of the lever the outer end-of a pistonrod 22 is connected, which piston-rod is attached to a piston 23, located in a cylinder 24, suitably situated beneath the platform B of the car. A spring 25 is located in the said cylinder, having a tendency to carry the piston 23 to the rear, and the said cyl nderis provided with a port 26, which connects with a ipe 27, connected with the compressed-air cylinders of the train, as the cylinder 24 is adapted to receive air under compression.

When the air is admitted to the cylinder 24,-

the piston 23 is forced outward, and conseuently the lower end of the member 18 of t e dual lever E is carried in' the same direction. The supply-pipe 27 for the cylinder 24 is provided with a valve of any suitable description, adapted in one position to admit air to the cylinder and in another 'osition to cut off the air-supply, and when t e air-supply is cut off the valve opens a suitable port I in the cylinder to permit the discharge of air therefrom and permit the spring 25 to act to carry the piston 23 inward and restore the member 18 of the dual lever E to its normal position. (Shown by positive lines in Figs. 1 and 2.) This valve,whichis athree-way valve of any approved construction, is operated ordinarily through the medium of an arm 28, and said armis controlled by a rod 29, which extends upward through the sill B and through the upper bar 30 of the rail 31, which isusually provided at theouter edge of the platform-B, as is illustrated in Fig. 1.

The lower end of the member 18 of the dual lever E is pivotally connected with a link 32, and this link in'its turn is pivotally connected with an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 33, secured on the shaft 12, so that when the iston 23 is carried outward and forces the ower end of the dual lever E in an straighten the crank-arms 13 and connected bars 15, as is shown bydotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby bringing the auxiliary step 0 from its rear folded position (shown by positive lines in Fig. 1) to the forward position for use. (Shown by dotted lines in the same figure.)

At the lower end of the other shorter member 17 of the dual lever E alink 34'is pivoted,

and this link is also pivotany connected with the lower pointed end of a triangular cam-lever 35, which lever at one side of its upper or wider portion is pivoted upon a bracket 36, which extends down from the sill B of the platform B of tho'car, as is especially shown in Fig. 2, and at the opposite side of the upper wider end of the eam-lever 35 a lever-arm 37 is pivotally attached to said cam-lever. This lever-arm 37 is fulcrumed between its center and the end connected with the camlever 35 upon a bracket 38, which extends down from the sill B of the platform B, and at the forward end of the lever-arm 37 the lower end of a shifting bar 39 .is pivoted, which shifting bar extends up through a suitable opening in the sill B. The said shifting bar 39 at its upperend is rovided with a horizontal forked head 40, a apted to receive and to freely pass over the swing-post 11 of the gate'D. This forked head 40 or the shifting bar 39 has no influence on the gate D while it .passes over the straight portion of the swingpost 11 of the gate, but when said forked ead 40 reaches the spiral section 12 of said swing-post 11 it tends to swing the gate upon its pivot either inward or outward, according to the direction in which said shifting bar 39 is operated. 1

The platform B is raised throu h the action of the member 17 of the dua lever E, 1 preferably in the following manner:

A curved link 41 is pivotally attached to the temporary or auxiliary platform B adjacent to its hinged or outer end, as is shown by Fig. 3, and this link 41 is then connected by a second link 42 with the cam-lever 35 at the same point where the lever-arm 37 connects with said cam-lever, as is shown in both Figs. 2 and 3 The two members 17 and 18 of the dual lever E are held together and made to operate in unison by means of a snap-catch 43 of any approved construction carried, for

example, by the member 17 of the said dual lever, the opposite member 18 being pro- 'vided with a recess 44 to receive the said the stationary steps.

mally occupies a horizontal position shown -'by positive lines in Fig. 1, willjbe carried down tothe perpendicular position shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and the link 41 will at; that time be compelled to raise-the temporary platform B, and just about the time'this tem orary platformBiis' 'artially'x raised the'for ed head of the s t' 39jwill commence to act upon the spira ,sec-T vtion 12; of,the. swing-post 1110f: the gate to *opjen said gate, inward 'fiporary platform, andt us permit theordi- 1 any car, and is very efiicient in operation.

nary steps G to-be approached, and the auxilstep C' will then bein' position to add to In the event it's not necessary to brin the auxiliary step 0 to the front, but it'is esirable to open the gate and raise the temporary platform B this action can be simultaneously accomplished by 7 hand u on disconnecting the member 17 of the ual lever E from the member 18 and carrying the mem-- ber 17 to the rear, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the gate and temporary platform will be operated in the manner heretofore described, but the auxiliary or folding step C will not be moved from itsfolded position.

.- .The device is very simple, easily applied to Having thus described my invention, I

- claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patenty 1. A car-platform, steps fixed thereto, an auxiliary step having'a hinged connection with the fixed steps, a temporary platform temporaryp atf having hinged connection with the main platform and located over the fixed steps, an aircylinder, means for supplying air thereto and controlling the supply, and devices connected with the temporaryplatform, the auxiliary step and the piston-rod of the said cylinder, for moving the auxiliary step and raising and lowering the temporary platform.

2. A car-platform, steps fixed thereto, an auxiliary step having hinged connection with the fixed steps, a temporary platform hinged to the main platform and located over the fixed steps, a gate pivoted on the platform above the said'fixed steps, an air-cylinder, a

shifting device for the said gate, a device for' raising and lowering the said temporary platform, and connections between the pistonrod of the said cylinder, the shifting device for the gates, the operating device for the pb a y lilat s llne t e i a p; whereby at one operation of the piston of the said air cylinder t'o'j "simultaneously operate the auxiliary tep, bpen or closethe gate'and raise or lower the auxiliary platform,

' A je k Tl h nge to t ma t e fa m; a e s me ted t swi g' n he m platform; the swmg post whereof is spiral at ainst; the rising tem- 1 vet and the tempera form, steps I fixed theretqia its lower portion, an auxiliary'st ep hinged to the main steps, a rock-shaft, connections betheswing- 0st of the gate, a lever-arm connected W1t thesaid shifting bar, a cam-lever connected with the lever-arm, a connection between the cam-lever and the lever fulcmmed on'the platform, a connection between the latter lever and the said rockshaft, a link connection between the cam-leplatform, an air-c linder, the, iston of w 'ch is connected with the lever ulcrumed on the latform, and

means for co'ntrollingthe supp y and the outlet of air to the said cylinder.

4. A latform for a can-steps fixed thereto, an auxi iary stefp hinged to t e fixed ste a temporary plat orm hinged to the main p atform, a gate mounted to turn'on the main platform, an operating-lever in two sections, a latch connection between the sections, each section of the lever being ada ted for indeendent o eration, an aircy inder, means or contro mg the supply thereto, a connection between the piston-rod of the said cylinder and one section of said operating-lev er and an operating connection between the section of the lever connected with the cylinder and the auxiliary step, means for operat-' ing'. the gate and for raising and lowering the temporary platform, and an operative mechanism carried by the other section of the said operating-lever and connected with the operating means for the temporary platform and the ate. A

5. A p atform for a car, a gate mounted to turn on the said. platform, rovided with a swing-post having a spiral ower section, a temporary platform hinged to the main platform, a lever pivoted on the main platform, a triangular cam-lever fulcrumed beneath the said platform at its wider end, a link connec tion between the narrower end of the said cam-lever and the operating-lever, a link connection between the wider end of the said cam-lever and the temporary platform to raise and lower the platform, a lever-arm fulcrumed beneath the main platform and pivotally connected with the wider end of the cam-lever, a shifting rod connected with the opposite end of the lever-arm, and a forked head at the upper end of the shifting rod, adapted to travel over the swing-post of the "gate and particularly over the spiral portion of Said 'post'.

. A cr platform, steps fixed thereto, an

,auxiliaryfstep havingfa hinged connection with the fixed. steps, a temporary latform having hinged connection with t e main platform and located over the, fixed steps, r-

g ate p voted on the platform above the fixed steps, and a single means for moving the auxiliary step, for raising and lowering the platform and for opening and closin the gate.

form and located overthe fixed steps, a gate pivoted on the said platform above the fixed steps, a single means for moving the auxiliary step, for raising and lowering the platform and'for opening-and closing the gate, and-a separate means for moving the platform and opening the gate,

8. A car-platform, steps fixed thereto, an auxiliary step having a hinged connection with the fixed steps, a temporary platform having a hinged connection with the main platform and located over the fixed steps, a ,sin le means for moving the auxiliary step,

an for raising and lowering the platform, and a separate means for raising and lowering the platform.

9. car-platform, stepsfixed thereto, an auxiliary step having a hinged connection with the fixed steps, a temporary platform having hinged connection with the main platform and located over fixed steps, agate pivoted on the platform above the fixed 7. A car-platform, steps fiXe thereto, an auxiliary step having a hinged connection .with the fixed steps, a temporary platform having hinged connection with the main platsteps, means for movin theste s, means for raising and, lowering t e plat orm and for opening and closing the gate, and means whereby to connect said first and last named means.

10.' A car-platform, steps fixed thereto, an auxiliary step having a hinged connection with the fixed steps, a temporaryplatform having hinged connection with the mainplatform and located over the fixed steps, a gate pivoted on the platform above the fixed steps, means for moving the steps, means for opening and closing the'gate and for ralsing and lowering the platform normally connected with said first-namecl means, and means whereby to disconnect said first and last named means.

In testimony whereof Iihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JASPER SHOEMAKER 'COXEY.

Witnesses: I

PHIL. S. LocKE, S. K. BowERs. 

